Intelligent network based robots on the market in 2005

Troubleshooting

Networked based intelligent robots are still in their infancy and a host of potential problems still remain. A number of technical challenges related to network noise, reliability, congestion, fixed and variable time delay and stability will have to be overcome before widespread commerciality of networked robots is possible.

Of paramount concern is the safety of humans. "Because the URC robots are operated by the network, they are vulnerable to network headaches, like hacking or viruses. They can wreak havoc on people," Oh said.

URC robots would be equipped with inbuilt safety checks and features like mapping and self tuning to minimise the risks.

The five URC prototypes robots are being developed in conjunction with Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and the Seoul National University, and will be rolled out in the trial test by February, 2005.